Somatic Symptoms, Hope, and Depression in a Sample of Predominantly Hispanic Community Mental Health Patients

ABSTRACT

As the frequency of mental illness diagnoses rises in the U.S. there has also been an increase in physical distress related to mental health symptoms, especially among members of underrepresented populations. This study examined the extent self-reported feelings of hope and depression predict somatic symptoms in a sample of predominantly Hispanic adults (N = 73) in a local community mental health center. Multiple Regression analyses showed that the overall model significantly predicted somatic symptoms (R² = .35, F [2, 72] = 18.48, p < .001). While feelings of depression significantly predicted somatic symptoms, hope was not a significant predictor in the model.

KEYWORDS:

• Somatic symptoms
• Hispanic
• community mental health
• hope
• counseling

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

K. Michelle Hunnicutt Hollenbaugh

K. Michelle Hunnicutt Hollenbaugh, Ph.D., LPC-S, is a Professor and Assistant Department Chair in the Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC). She specializes in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and evidence-based practices.

Kriti Vashisht

Kriti Vashisht identifies as an educator and practitioner in the field of global mental health. She is currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology and Counseling at McNeese State University in Louisiana. Her work is largely shaped by her interest in human rights, participatory approaches, and intersectionality of mental health to justice and social issues. Her recent work is focused on mental health stigma, LGBTQ advocacy, and intersection of women’s justice issues and mental health.

Arlett Zamarripa

Arlett Zamarripa is a Ph.D. Candidate in a Counselor Education program at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC). She received her Master of Science degree in Counseling with an emphasize in Clinical Mental Health from TAMUCC. Arlett is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor–Associate practicing in Texas and a National Certified Counselor.

M. Ashley Burks

M. Ashley Burks, Ph.D., LMHC (IN), NCC, is an Assistant Professor at Indiana University Southeast. Dr. Burks is trained in clinical mental health counseling and has experience working with couples, LGBTGEQ+ individuals, rural communities, and in integrated care settings. Dr. Burks also owns and operates her private practice working with first responder families and providing sex therapy to individuals and couples. Dr. Burks’ research interests center around sex positivity, improving counselor competency for working with sexual issues, cultural humility, and first responder families’ mental health.